Our Strategy
Our work shows that healthy wetlands can help solve the global challenges of climate change, human health, biodiversity and water security. To make a global difference, massive upscaling is needed over tens of millions of hectares in the coming decade. We are building a global agenda that will harness the collective will of diverse stakeholders to accelerate action and bring lasting returns for people and nature.
Working across three inter-connected global impacts
Our strategic framework guides us towards achieving healthy wetlands, resilient wetland communities, and reduced climate risks across three “streams” of work or wetland landscapes: coasts and deltas, rivers and lakes, and peatlands. We measure our progress across these three streams according to the following six types of desired outcomes:
Wetland habitats and functions safeguarded and restored: We improve the extent and quality of habitat across freshwater systems, peatlands, deltas and coastal ecosystems and ensure the integrity of their intrinsic, cultural and ecosystem-service values.
Wetland species recovered: We contribute to the conservation of wetland biodiversity by monitoring flagship species. We also collaborate with companies to influence policies, investments and practices in order to enhance the status of wetland biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Water and food secured for wetland communities: We prevent wetland degradation while improving the livelihoods of wetland communities. By working to safeguard and restore freshwater flows, we help them adapt to a changing climate, population growth and increasing competition for water.
Reduced societal conflict and displacement from wetlands: We help ease conflict arising from the deterioration of wetlands, such as loss of livelihoods and human displacement.
Wetland carbon stores secured and enhanced: We return wetlands to their role as carbon sinks, minimising the negative impacts of climate change and boosting climate resilience.
Wetland nature-based solutions integrated into infrastructure developments: We encourage urban infrastructure investment planning to include wetlands as an integral solution to problems such as water insecurity and flooding.
Contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals
Healthy, thriving wetlands that support people and nature are vital to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work contributes to the SDGs in the following ways:
- (SDG 2) promoting agricultural practices that maintain ecosystems and combat desertification, floods and droughts
- (SDG 6) protecting and restoring wetlands to ensure clean water for all;
- (SDG 11) reducing the number of people affected by water-related disasters
- (SDG 13) promoting mechanisms for effective climate change planning and management
- (SDG15) ensuring the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of freshwater ecosystems and their services
- Healthy wetlands are necessary for achieving health and well-being (SDG3) gender equality (SDG 5), and peace (SDG 16).
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